During climate talks under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change held in Bonn (UNFCCC), Germany, in June 2023, IWGIA met and talked with seven Indigenous youth leaders from Latin America. These youth had travelled to Bonn to make their voices heard, promoting transformative
At all levels, in all regions of the world, Indigenous Peoples face systemic, colonial barriers to their right to self-determination. This injustice is also evident in the multilateral sphere, where decisions are taken almost exclusively by the governments of multilaterally recognised
Submission: Views from Parties and non-Party stakeholders on the elements for the consideration of outputs component of the first Global Stocktake - September 2023
4 September 2023 - The Africa Climate Summit commenced today in Nairobi, Kenya. The three-day summit aims to drive green growth and solutions for Africa and the world. Indigenous Peoples are represented by delegates from 20 countries advocating for their rights in climate action.
Folkemødet på Bornholm nærmer sig og også i år er IWGIA repræsenteret ved en række arrangementer. Tilmed har vi i år udvidet folkemødeholdet betydeligt. Vi har nemlig fået et nyt hold frivillige, som har arrangeret ikke mindre end fire events. Herudover deltager vi i fire andre events.
Indigenous Peoples have a deep connection with aquatic ecosystems and resources. For fishing-dependent indigenous communities, fishing is not just an occupation and fish is not just a commodity. Fisheries are the basis for – and an integral element of - their cultures, spiritual beliefs,
The first Special Rapporteur on Environmental Defenders under the Aarhus Convention, Michel Forst, visited Denmark from 8-10 May as part of his European information tour explaining the new mandate. He met with various Danish government officials and civil society organisations, including
The Indigenous Navigator consortium welcomes the review of information on the status of the data and information, operationalization, review, and update of the four traditional knowledge indicators, following the last information note produced by the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related
On 21 July 2022 Sara Olsvig was elected as the new Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC) International Chair at the organisation’s 14th General Assembly, taking over the position from Dr Dalee Sambo Dorough, who served from July 2018.
IWGIA wishes to congratulate both Sara in her new role and
Indigenous Peoples positioned themselves in multilateral climate negotiations through their advocacy. Although the international community gradually recognises Indigenous Peoples’ contributions to climate governance, a rights-based approach in national climate action is still largely
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to tackle climate change. In 2015, the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, a universal agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a climate finance mechanism established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010 and operating since 2015. The GCF assists developing countries with climate adaptation and mitigation actions. It aims to catalyse a flow of
The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty under the United Nations (UN), adopted in 1992. The Convention has three objectives: to conserve biodiversity, to promote its sustainable use, and to ensure the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from its utilisation (Art.
El 4 de abril de 2022, el Grupo Intergubernamental de Expertos sobre el Cambio Climático (IPCC) publicó un informe sobre la mitigación del cambio climático –la contribución del Grupo de Trabajo III al Sexto informe de evaluación (AR6)–. Para responder a este
On 4 April 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released a report on Mitigation of Climate Change – the contribution of the Working Group III (WGIII) to the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6). In response to this, IWGIA, the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC), Nepal Federation of
El Fondo Verde para el Clima (FVC) es un mecanismo de financiación climática creado en 2010 por la Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) y que ha estado en funcionamiento desde 2015. El Fondo brinda asistencia a los países en vías de desarrollo para sus
This report provides an update on the Green Climate Fund’s investments in Peru and makes a series of recommendations aimed at overcoming its limitations about Indigenous Peoples safeguards. It highlights the need for structural change to ensure more effective and equitable participation of
The consequences of climate change are often felt most acutely by Indigenous Peoples and have gendered impacts. Forced migration as a result of climate change and water scarcity are susceptible of making Indigenous women and girls more vulnerable to human rights abuses.
The consequences of climate change are often felt most acutely by Indigenous Peoples and have gendered impacts. Forced migration as a result of climate change and water scarcity are susceptible of making Indigenous women and girls more vulnerable to human rights abuses.
The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty under the United Nations (UN), adopted in 1992. The Convention has three objectives: to conserve biodiversity, to promote its sustainable use, and to ensure the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from its utilisation (Art.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a climate finance mechanism established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in 2010 and operating since 2015. The GCF assists developing countries with climate adaptation and mitigation actions. It aims to catalyse a flow of
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to tackle climate change. In 2015, the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, a universal agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the
On 28 February 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a ground-breaking report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability of climate change. The report is conclusive about the increasing and accelerating impacts of climate change on Indigenous Peoples'
On 28 February 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a ground-breaking report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability of climate change. The report is conclusive about the increasing and accelerating impacts of climate change on Indigenous Peoples'
COP26 – the two-week UN Climate Change Conference – begins next week in Glasgow.
As in previous years, IWGIA will be there in partnership and alongside Indigenous Peoples to support their engagement, messages and mission to influence the outcomes of this key climate conference,
Shifting to electric vehicles (EV) is seen as an important step towards a greener future. However, the process ofextracting nickel, a crucial component of EV batteries, very often is not environmental-friendly. The world’s largest producer of nickel, Nornickel, has been destroying
Over 150 civil society organisations and academics sign open letter calling on world leaders to integrate human rights into global and national environmental policy and practice
In the lead-up to historic agreements on climate and nature being made in the next month, more than
Indigenous Peoples' knowledge on climate solutions can play a critical part in climate action. A new guide shows ways to integrate and strengthen Indigenous tech in national Technology Needs Assessments.
Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge of adapting to climatic change and their
In 2020, the Government of Peru allocated 260 million Peruvian Soles (PEN) (approximately USD 72 million) of public funds to remediate tropical forest sites damaged by oil exploitation on Indigenous territory in the Pastaza, Corrientes, Tigre and Marañon river basins. With this, the government
Coal mining is destroying the forests of Siberia. Contamination of the taiga and rivers is harming the Shor people, who live from hunting, gathering and fishing. Anyone who stands up to the government and companies in defence of the right to nature suffers threats and harassment.
This compilation is the unique result of a collaborative effort between Indigenous and non-indigenous activists and scholars who voluntarily document and report on the situation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We thank them and celebrate the bonds and sense of community that result from the
The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty under the United Nations (UN) adopted in 1992. The Convention has three objectives: to conserve biodiversity, to promote its sustainable use, and to ensure the equitable sharing of the benefits arising from its utilisation (Art.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to tackle climate change. In 2015, the UNFCCC adopted the Paris Agreement, a universal agreement to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of the
This book contains a series of essays predominantly written by Indigenous women from Myanmar. The essays show Indigenous women to be at the crux of climate change in Myanmar.
The struggle against climate change can be neutralized by the circumstances and conditions under which the clean energy transition is carried out. The behaviour of wind-energy companies in La Guajira, the territory of the Wayuu indigenous people, serves as an illustrative example.
Community, part of the Karen people. Photo: Alejandro Parellada
After resisting the policy of forced assimilation enforced during the decades of military rule, today Indigenous peoples of Myanmar are subjected to land dispossession in the name of
Community, part of the Karen people. Photo: Alejandro Parellada
After resisting the policy of forced assimilation enforced during the decades of military rule, today Indigenous peoples of Myanmar are subjected to land dispossession in the name of
Image of the Kazas community of the Indigenous Shor people in Kemerovo Oblast, which was displaced by the expansion of coal mines. Photo: Nelli Slupachik
Image of the Kazas community of the Indigenous Shor people in Kemerovo Oblast, which was displaced by the expansion of coal mines. Photo: Nelli Slupachik
The most widespread and intractable forest fires ever recorded in Bolivia ravaged the lowland regions of Santa Cruz, Beni, La Paz and Cochabamba last year, making 2019 a particularly dark period for the country and for Indigenous Peoples as many of the affected areas were on Indigenous
The most widespread and intractable forest fires ever recorded in Bolivia ravaged the lowland regions of Santa Cruz, Beni, La Paz and Cochabamba last year, making 2019 a particularly dark period for the country and for Indigenous Peoples as many of the affected areas were on Indigenous
In September 2020 the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Pact (AIPP) and International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) presented a joint submission to the UNFCCC calling for the full consideration and engagement of Indigenous Peoples’ in climate action.
El Pacto de los Pueblos Indígenas de Asia (AIPP) y el Grupo Internacional de Trabajo sobre Asuntos Indígenas (IWGIA) han presentado una aportación conjunta a la CMNUCC, en septiembre de 2020, reclamando la plena consideración y participación de los Pueblos Indígenas en las acciones para
La Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) es un tratado internacional aprobado en la Cumbre de la Tierra en Río de Janeiro en 1992 para hacer frente al creciente problema del calentamiento de la Tierra y los efectos nocivos vinculados a un clima
La Convención Marco de las Naciones Unidas sobre el Cambio Climático (CMNUCC) es un tratado internacional adoptado en 1992 durante la Cumbre para la Tierra en Río de Janeiro, con el fin de abordar el creciente problema del calentamiento global y los efectos nocivos relacionados con un cambio
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to tackle the growing problem of global warming and the related harmful effects of a changing climate. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, and has
The compilation is the unique result of a collaborative effort between Indigenous and non-indigenous activists and scholars who voluntarily document and report on the situation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights. We thank them and celebrate the bonds and sense of community that result from the close
This case study unravels the example of how a customary institution is embedded in the social and physical uniqueness of a community of indigenous peoples. It demonstrates the value of recognizing and safeguarding the customary institutions and knowledge of indigenous peoples. This case study
The transition from the use of traditional energy sources to renewable energy solutions is rapidly becoming a necessity if humanity is to address the climate emergency we face. However, this pursuit cannot happen at the expense of human rights, including the loss of land, livelihoods and rights
Against all the odds, and despite the challenges that climate change represents for Latin America, women are demonstrating day in, day out that they have the ideas and the unique and essential skills to propose a radical change in the matrix of civilisation at this crucial point in
This book comprises a total of 14 articles addressing the issue of deforestation in the Peruvian Amazon and its impacts, not only on the Amazonian environment and wildlife but particularly on the communities inhabiting the area. These impacts are being facilitated by informal dynamics for which
IWGIA’s latest human rights report examines the sociocultural impacts two particular projects – the Lake Turkana Wind Power project and Olkaria Geothermal Power plants – are having in several Indigenous communities in Kenya.
While much of the world has focused on the fires raging in the Amazon, the world’s largest forest–the Siberian Taiga in Russia–has been on fire for most of 2019.
Since January this year, more than 130,000 square kilometres of land and forest—an area the size of Greece—has been burned in
Since early August 2019, the most widespread and enduring fires in Bolivia’s history have been recorded in the country’s lowlands (Tierras Bajas). Widespread due to the large area burned and enduring because climatic conditions, along with the negligence of the authorities and even of those
At the UNSG Climate Action Summit, indigenous peoples gave a statement on their commitments to climate action. IWGIA supports the statement and proposed climate actions, and we call for the international community to support indigenous peoples and their pledges by taking a rights-based approach
Despite being a small group of only eight people among the more than 1,000 participants at the UN Climate Meeting in Abu Dhabi in June, indigenous peoples were able to have their voices heard and put indigenous peoples’ rights on the agenda.
Climate change is the great global challenge of the 21st century. Because of climate change, undesirable disasters became intense and has caused loss of many lives and billions of dollars’ worth of properties. To respond to climate change, the United Nations founded the body called United
In Myanmar, women manage forests and depend on them for their livelihoods, but their tenure over these forests is insecure. Women often have distinct roles in managing forests as compared to men, and therefore also have expert knowledge about forests and different priorities for how forests are
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty adopted at the Earth Summit in Rio in 1992 to tackle the growing problem of global warming and the related harmful effects of a changing climate. The UNFCCC entered into force on 21 March 1994, and has
The report on the current state of Indigenous Peoples’ Lands, Territories and Resources (LTR) was prepared by the Indigenous Peoples Major Group (IPMG) to inform the implementation of global commitments to Sustainable Development and the various related processes for transformational change. It
Rising tensions between states and indigenous peoples are reaching a tipping point, and with an ever-shrinking civic space worldwide, the topics of criminalisation of Indigenous Rights Defenders’ activities and their organisations; land rights issues; and access to justice are more important
Myanmar has some of the largest remaining forest areas in Asia, but also some of the highest deforestation rates in the world. Increased focus on the role of indigenous peoples’ rights and use of their knowledge through
At least 43 percent of the 7,000 languages spoken in the world today are endangered. Many of these belong to indigenous peoples and if something doesn't change soon, UNESCO predicts that we will lose as many as 3,000 indigenous languages by the end of this century. In an effort to raise public
Myanmar is one of the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change, with the threat of flooding, drought, cyclones, and changing rainfall patters threatening lives and livelihoods.1 Myanmar’s National Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan (2017) outlines the major risks that
Indigenous peoples are some of the most affected by climate change. It is therefore extremely important that The Paris Agreement recognizes the rights of indigenous peoples in its preamble and that indigenous communities are included in relevant processes. This page collects some of
2018 er året hvor International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) kan fejre 50 års jubilæum i vores forsvar af oprindelige folks rettigheder. På denne side kan du finde flere informationer af, hvad vi har opnået og hvilke trusler som oprindelige folk står overfor den dag i
In light of the urgency of both forest conservation and the recognition of indigenous communities’ rights to land and resources, along with the documented potential for creating conservation synergies through recognition of community rights, this study tries to look at the approaches to forest
This year the International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) celebrates 50 years of defending indigenous peoples' rights and we want to share with you some of the facts we are proud of and some of the issues that affect the world's 370 million indigenous peoples.
On the occasion of IWGIA's 50 years jubilee, IWGIA's Executive Director, Julie Koch, looks at the past 50 years development for indigenous peoples' rights and points to the main issues and opportunities for indigenous peoples.
In the Far East of Russia, the indigenous Udege people have for decades fought to protect their land with support from IWGIA. In July, their long struggle was finally rewarded as an area nearly four times the size of Yosemite National Park has been awarded World Heritage Status.
The 9th of August is the International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples and this page provides a brief overview of the most important international agreements related to indigenous peoples and some general facts about indigenous peoples.
Oprindelige folk kan blive en af de helt afgørende faktorer i bevarelsen af nogle af verdens mest truede naturområder. Lige nu tilkæmper oprindelige folk sig, skridt for skridt, anerkendelse af deres rettigheder internationalt, mens oprindelige folk i Peru allerede har skabt et autonomt
The rising tensions between states and indigenous peoples are reaching a tipping point and The Indigenous World 2018 adds to the documented records, highlighting the increase in attacks and killings of indigenous peoples while defending their lands. The
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (WGIA) and Denmark have long pushed for the adoption of a “GCF Indigenous Peoples Policy” in the Green Climate Fund, that every year allocates billions of dollars to climate projects. Just recently this policy was finally approved. “This is an
Danmark og IWGIA har været stærkt medvirkende til, at Den Grønne Klimafond for nyligt vedtog en politik, der sikrer, at oprindelige folk fremover inddrages og høres når milliarder af kroner hvert år uddeles til klimaprojekter i udviklingslande. ”Et kæmpe skridt fremad for oprindelige folk”
Four reports illustrate how the method “participatory action research” can benefit Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging traditional knowledge and documenting land use and ownership for future generations.
Four reports illustrate how the method “participatory action research” can benefit Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging traditional knowledge and documenting land use and ownership for future generations.
Four reports illustrate how the method “participatory action research” can benefit Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging traditional knowledge and documenting land use and ownership for future generations.
Four reports illustrate how the method “participatory action research” can benefit Indigenous Peoples by acknowledging traditional knowledge and documenting land use and ownership for future generations.
RESEARCH: Four reports illustrate how the method “participatory action research” can benefit indigenous peoples by acknowledging traditional knowledge and documenting land use and ownership for future generations.
IWGIA abre la convocatoria para proyectos elaborados por y para jóvenes indígenas, que estén relacionados con una de las prioridades temáticas generales del trabajo de IWGIA: Acción Climática, Gobernanza Global o Derechos Territoriales.
Indigenous peoples across the world face the consequences of climate change. Indigenous peoples must, therefore, be heard and included in global, national and local climate action.
The study was conducted by POINT (Promotion of Indigenous and Nature Together) in Sar Pauk village, and especially emphasized on the customary land tenure of the village. The objective of the study is to identify and document customary land tenure of the village, including livelihoods, land
The negotiations of the Paris Rule Book are critical to ensuring that the promises made in the Paris Agreement will be met – including the commitment of governments to respect, protect, and take into consideration existing human rights obligations.
This yearbook gives a comprehensive update on the current situation of indigenous peoples and their human rights situation across the world, and offers an overview of the most significant developments in international and regional processes relating to indigenous peoples during
A decade after the passing of the Forest Rights Act, the book by indigenous rights activits Gladson Dungdung “Adivasi and Forest Rights: Grassroots reality of Forest rights in Jharkhand” documents how government agencies, industry lobby and even the Naxal
Both, the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the Climate Agreement signed last year during the COP21 in Paris, are strong tools to combat climate change. At the same time, these are mechanisms that ensure responsible resource consumption and the rights for
On Yamal Peninsula, the administration has announced that it wants to slaughter 250,000 of the currently 700,000 reindeer living on the peninsula. At the same time, the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources is speeding up the development of new gas fields in the Arctic. Between June and
At the world's largest nickel mine and smelter, Norilsk Nickel on Taimyr peninsula in Norther Siberia, a severe pipeline spill has occured. Taimyr is home to some 20,000
IWGIA - International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs - is a global human rights organisation dedicated to promoting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights. Read more.